photos by Coralee Stone

The 26 Best Auckland Wedding Venues

by Luke Ellery | 29 Apr 2020

The 26 Best Auckland Wedding Venues

by Luke Ellery | 29 Apr 2020

Our list of Auckland's best wedding venues has something for every wedding, from total luxury to boho, city to the countryside. If you'd like more wedding venue inspo, check out our recommended wedding venues in Christchurch and Queenstown.

Glasshouse

Glasshouse in Morningside is a brand new Auckland wedding venue that has taken the event industry by storm. Everywhere you look on social media, there is a picture of Glasshouse. When you take a moment to check out what it is and what they offer, it is no surprise as to why they have become so popular. Glasshouse is a dedicated event space that is constructed almost entirely out of glass. Natural light shines through from all sides all day. Lush greenery encases the building. So, even though it is centrally located, it feels like a distant oasis. This space can seat up to 200 guests and can house up to 400 for a cocktail reception. Glasshouse also has a skilled team of event professionals that can assist with catering, styling, and planning your big day. So, they will hold your hand as much or as little as you like.

Tabula Rasa

The perfect place to start your new beginning. Tabula Rasa showcases, lush lawns, manicured gardens, a covered gazebo, an infinity pool, and more! This venue, designed as an event space has (as a result) a plethora of options when it comes to selecting your ceremony and reception locations. Best of all, it’s only a 30 minute trip down the southern motorway from the CBD.

The Stables

Image by Chase Wild

Only 5 minutes from the Matakana township, The Stables has plenty of rustic charm, they offer local wine and cuisine, craft beers, and old reliable countryside hospitality. The vast amount of space leaves you with plenty of options for choosing ceremony locations. If you choose to have your wedding outside, large glass doors create an easy indoor-outdoor flow back into the main restaurant for your reception.

Pilkingtons

Designed for elegance. Pilkingtons really is an oasis in the vast urban expanse of Auckland’s CBD. Filled with lush greenery and bespoke interior designs elements, Pilkingtons is the perfect venue for an intimate elegant wedding. There is an outdoor courtyard – the ideal secret spot in Auckland city for a wedding. Pilkingtons also has an extensive drink menu and an inspired selection of catering options. If you’ve been wanting a small and glamorous inner-city wedding, then Pilkingtons is your spot.

Kauri Bay Boomrock

Image by Fay Carey Photography

Kauri Bay Boomrock cater to exclusive and intimate weddings - with a maximum seated capacity of 200. The experienced team at Kauri Bay Boomrock can take your dream wedding ideas and turn them into the perfect day. They can arrange everything from personalised menus to transport for your guests. With plenty of on-site activities, you can rest assured your guests will have an amazing time at the reception while you go exploring the beautiful surrounding valleys for photo ops.

The Riverhead

Host your wedding at The Riverhead, surrounded by greenery and tranquil waters. This wedding venue is a private and flexible space, a thirty-minute drive from Auckland and a gorgeous choice for your special day. Outdoors, indoors or a nice mix, this Auckland venue is all about giving you options amidst cosy beauty and convenience. With your catering taken care of by on-site suppliers, plenty of natural light and multiple spaces to choose between, The Riverhead is one of the finest venues on the fringes of Auckland. Their spaces include The Boat House and Deacon's Kitchen, as well as exclusive hire of the venue for your wedding.

Sculptureum

Sculptureum is here to offer itself as an extraordinary Auckland wedding venue. Primarily a fine art venue in Matakana, Sculptureum combines the love of life and art with the love of events. It has a remarkable 3 sculpture gardens and 6 art galleries packed into acres of airy land, with views overlooking Little Barrier Island. The founder of the Sculptureum, Anthony Grant, has spent a decade collecting artwork from around the world. The Miro Room is the designated event space within Sculptureum, a blank canvas on which you can imprint your vision. This venue can accommodate up to 200 of your lucky guests, with delicious on-site catering options and off-site audiovisual suppliers should your wedding require it.

Little Wilderness

Little Wilderness is the ideal place to host your off-the-grid wedding. This Auckland venue specialises in hosting weddings with an environmentally-friendly edge in the heart of Kumeu, just 30km from Auckland City. They can host up to 80 people in their event space, with a team dedicated to helping you plan and run an incredible wedding day. Their overall design is a contemporary take on the antipodean shed: a rough, utilitarian construction featuring unique designs make it a perfect hosting space, both malleable and full of character. Little Wilderness has 3 spaces for hire, including the Shed and Top Lawn, Gypsy Orchard and Firepit Area. Whether you're after an outdoor or indoor wedding, Little Wilderness is a premier venue choice.

Fantail Farm

Yes, your wedding can feel like a holiday and a dream rolled into one. Modern-day beauty meets rustic charm with Fantail Farm, a resort-style venue on the outskirts of Auckland and the perfect spot for your wedding. Tucked away in natural beauty, this Auckland wedding venue is a scenic 45-minute drive from the CBD, has state-of-the-art audiovisual technology available on-site, and is flooded with natural light. You can choose to host your wedding inside their Cabana, offering a Bohemian, relaxed air, or out on their expansive lawn (with or without a marquee). They can cater for anywhere from 80 to 180 guests, so your wedding at Fantail Farm can be intimate and cosy or a flashy affair.

Howick Historical Village

Your wedding can be hosted at one of the most charming venues in Auckland with Howick Historical Village. Rich with the past, this is an Auckland wedding venue that has so much to offer on the cusp of the city. Featuring immaculate grounds and gardens, as well as several spaces for hire throughout their venue, Howick Historical Village is versatile in its many uses. It has carefully preserved so much of the original infrastructure of many buildings and gardens, some of which were built in 1852. Spaces include Bell House, the Historic Church, Brindle Cottage and so many more. If you fancy an outdoor wedding, then pick and choose between any of their expansive grounds and gardens, all available for hire and perfect for every wedding event.

Alberton

Image by NZ Korea Post

For those who know just where to look, Alberton is a beautiful historic house built in 1863, hidden away in Mt Albert. They have several spaces on offer for receptions, ceremonies, and photoshoots (low-key the most important thing about a wedding venue is its ability to deliver the goods for the photography). The central feature is a luxurious home which was once the heart of a 500-acre property. It’s the perfect blend of elegance and intimacy.

Ampersand Eatery

Image by Coralee Stone

For one, booking Ampersand guarantees you will have one of the most delicious wedding menus that Auckland central has to offer. Moreover, it’s a unique style of space which everyone will appreciate. The number of garden venues, hotel venues, and church venues that we could list is endless (not to say they don’t make stunning wedding venues), but the number of hip-urban-restaurant-eatery venues which have the kind of space that Ampersand has is much very smaller. They are brand new on the wedding scene too, which means you could be among the first to say your “I dos” in this chic urban space.

Ascension Wine Estate

Image by Ascension Wine Estate

Stunning Tuscan-style architecture, and beautifully kept gardens will be the setting of your wedding at Ascension Wine Estate. They boast critically acclaimed wine, delicious food, and wine-country graciousness. Ascension has a long-standing reputation as being a top wedding venue in Auckland. It’s not hard to see why when you take a look at the jaw-dropping vineyard backdrop.

Casita Miro

Image by Michelle Hepburn

Casita Miro vineyard specialises in Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. It has stunning views of the surrounding vineyards, but also the elaborate European style interior design is a sight to see in and of itself. Massive glass panels surround Casita Miro on almost all sides, the glass walls mean that the venue is constantly filled with natural light, which your photographer will appreciate. The most important thing about Casita Miro is the food. Being an award-winning restaurant, Casita Miro has a reputation to uphold and it is one that they do not let slide.

Castaways Resort

Image by Castaways

Castaways Resort is a stunning cliffside venue with panoramic views of the ocean. They offer internal catering, a very experienced wedding team, and onsite accommodation for up to 80 guests. It’s an ideal spot for a destination wedding. If you’re coming to Auckland from overseas to have your wedding, you can have a great taste of New Zealand’s famed landscape and give your globe-trotting guests a place to sleep. Castaways also have a day spa for relaxation and some prepared daytime activities for the adrenaline junkies.

Goldie Estate

Image by Chase Wild

Goldie Estate is a beautiful private vineyard situated on 30 acres of rolling hills and native bush. As with many premier Waiheke wedding venues, Goldie Estate has stunning coastal views. Goldie Estate only takes on a select few weddings each year so each wedding gets special treatment. They specialise in providing a full catering service for up to 250 guests. There are multiple ceremony locations available at Goldie Estate ranging from a rustic boat shed on their private beach to the iconic ancient pohutukawa tree (pictured above) which grows atop a towering hill on the Goldie Estate property.

Gracehill

Image by Perspectives Photo + Cinema

Tie the knot beside a private lake and 5-acres of perfectly manicured gardens at Auckland's Gracehill. They are a fully licensed venue that provides on-site catering. Having had many years of experience in the wedding industry, Gracehill can host anything from a small pop-up wedding with 30 guests to a grand traditional wedding ceremony and reception with 300 guests.

Highwic

Image by The Undefined Photography

Although Highwic may look like it should be located far away from urban life, it is located in the heart of New Market – Auckland’s number 1 shopping district. Its ideal location means there is easy access to this venue from just about anywhere. The Victorian-style architecture results in an aesthetic masterpiece as the backdrop of your wedding. The spacious grounds are large enough for a marquee, but there are several ceremony and reception locations available on site. Perhaps one of the most important things to mention (considering Highwic is a central city venue), there is plenty of parking on-site for you and your guests!

Hurakia Lodge

Image by Hurakia Lodge

Atop the southern headland of Rakino Island on the Hauraki Gulf is Hurakia Lodge, Auckland’s only luxury island retreat. A mere 6-minutes by helicopter or a short ferry ride from the CBD takes you to this stunning, remote venue where total privacy is ensured. Many adventures are to be had on and off the island. From kayaking and dolphin watching to wine tours and poolside relaxation, Harakia Lodge is bound to be an unforgettable wedding (or even honeymoon) venue. Hurakia Lodge’s stunning surroundings, top service, and incomparable levels of privacy leave us inclined to award Hurakia Lodge as the most luxurious wedding venue that Auckland has to offer.

Hus Art Farm

Image by Hus Art Farm

Originally built as a gallery for international artists to reside and showcase their work, Mrs Hu now offers events on the stunning Auckland property – and we are so glad she does. Hus Farm is an idyllic place to host your wedding. Boasting majestic views, a large gallery, purpose-built bar, and expansive grounds (with ponds!), It's a perfect wedding venue. Hus Art Farm also offers onsite accommodation – the bridal party can arrive a day early to help you set up for the big day (You could even have a pre-wedding shoot).

Jonkers Farm

Image by Perspectives Photo + Cinema

So many brides and grooms want to have a big marquee wedding but don't own the land to do it themselves, Jonkers is your answer. Good luck with getting a bad photo of this place. It’s just too beautiful. 540 acres of rural New Zealand farmland, an adorable rustic farmhouse, and plenty of space for any kind of marquee set up you can muster. Jonkers Farm doesn’t take many weddings at all but if you are lucky enough to be one of the exclusive few to have your wedding in this dreamy rustic landscape venue, then you certainly won’t have any regrets.

Kumeu Valley Estate

Image by Perspective Photo + Cinema

The stunning traditional bell tower, high vaulted timber ceiling and grand fireplace make Kumeu Valley Estate a popular winter wedding venue. However, they also proudly showcase 3 -acres of immaculate gardens, native flora, and an adorable outdoor ceremony space. So, all year round Kumeu Valley has something to offer.

Markovina

Image by Christina Schmidt Photography

A short 30-minute drive out of Auckland takes you to Markovina Estate, a privately-owned family-run property that prides themselves on exceeding expectations. With 10-acres of property, Markovina has a great many options for an outdoor ceremony which gives you plenty of creative freedom to create the ceremony of your dreams. If it rains, Markovina has a stunning wet weather option as a backup. Markovina is a popular wedding venue among Auckland photographers.

Mudbrick

Image sourced from Mudbrick

Mudbrick is, without, a doubt one of the most famous wedding venues in Auckland. Spoil your guests with award-winning cuisine and wine, and revel in the breathtaking views over the Hauraki Gulf from the main restaurant. On-site accommodation makes the fact that the venue is on Waiheke even easier to manage. If you end up partying too late, you can stay at the venue and leave the following morning – after a good sleep in of course.

Quay Project

Image sourced from Hipgroup

The perfect blank canvas in the central city. Urban chic is a trend that has been persisting over the past few years, it blends industrial vibes with minimalist design – the result of this style are venues like Quay Project. It features exposed beams, high ceilings, and more blank space than Taylor Swift has to write names on. Which means your stylist (or yourself if you are a DIY bride/groom) is going to have a lot to work with. Top it off with panoramic views of the Waitemata harbour and you have the ideal venue for the urban couple.

The Boat House at The Riverhead

Image by Wild Spirit Photography

This venue is the only venue in Auckland to have its own dock which means you can arrive in the most uppity of fashions, on a boat. This Boat House is just slightly north of the Riverhead Tavern, it has beautiful wooden floors, white high beam rafters with a permanent hanging floral installation, white-washed walls, and floor to ceiling windows all of which contributes to the stunning views over the river.

Tu Ngutu

Image by Tu Ngutu Villa

A private villa turned event space in Mahurangi East. Their crowning feature? The stunning infinity pool which also functions as the primary ceremony space. That’s right, you can tie the knot looking like you’re walking on water. There is on-site accommodation available for a handful of people, and plenty of fun nearby activities including paddle boarding and kayaking.

Villa Maria

Image by Villa Maria

30 minutes from the CBD, and only 5 minutes from Auckland International Airport, Villa Maria is ideally located for destination weddings or weddings with international guests. There are several versatile spaces that can host weddings for groups as small as 60 to as big as 500 guests. Villa Maria prides itself on being an all year round appropriate wedding venue. It is constantly manicured to ensure the ground’s look blossoming no matter the time of year. Not to mention, with the versatility of ceremony spaces available, they undoubtedly have your bad-weather backup plan completely sorted.